The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-24
1t would have been far better had Gov.


1t would have been far better had Gov.
Lee made no allusion to commission on
| the debt question, than to have presented
| the subject in the way he does in his for
! NAL message. The bondholders are as well,
| if not better, acquainted with the legisla-
ton relating to the debt and the condition
| of the State as he is. To simply recon-
mend that a commission be appointed to
| inform them that the Riddleberger bill is
the ultimatum of the party in power is
foolishness. If they recognize the COM
mission at all. it will be, most likely, to
| state that the Supreme Court of the United
States had also decreed an ultinlattern and
that they would rest upon that rather than
the resolve Of a party caucus, issued
through the partizan influence dominating
the Legislature. Thus fortified they would
not submit to coercion, while they might
agree on terms equally as favorable as the
Riddleberger bill. if they were properly ap-
preached and their adjudicated rights
fairly considered, in the light of the States
revenues and the ability of the people to
pay. The creditors are not fools and are
not insensible to their own interests, nor
incapable of appreciating the ,nditions
which surround the vexed controversy
over the bonds they hold. A little COM
mon sense is essential just now, if it is
proposed to make the extra session any
thing else than a grim farce.
A bill has been introduced in the Legis-
lature empowering the Governor to re-
move county treasurers, whenever in his
judgment it is necessary. for the protection
of the public interests" The object of
the bill is to compel county treasurers to
refuse coupons for taxes, notwithstanding
the decisions of the courts. 1t virtually
makes the Governor superior to the con-
stitution and the courts-an autocrat, who
| is to determine what is law and what is
the legal duty of law officers. 1t is high
er law proposition, destructive of our en-
tire governmental system, subordinating
the legislative and judicial departments to
the Executive.
Mr.. W. L. Royal was tried in the Hus-
| tings Court of Richmond last Monday, Oh
a charge of intimidating grand jurors, by
suing them for indicting him under the
barratry act, He was found guilty and
fined $3.50. He refused to pay the fine and
was sent to Jail. He remained there one
night and on Tuesday was brought before
Judge Bond on habeas corpus writ and
placed in charge of the United States Mar
shall until the case could be heard and
considered.
The Baltimore american, of the 2lst,
states upon the best authority that the
Baltimore and Ohio deal is an accom-
plished fact. Particulars are not gwen
The price, it Is further stated, was $500
per share. Mr.. Garrett will have man
aging interest in the road. 1t is thought
the Achison, Topeka and Santa Fe man
agement will finally get control of the
property. Baltimore's interest will be
amply protected.
The bill fixing the salary of the Gov
ernor of Ohio at $4,000 has become law.
The salary has been. we think. only
81, 500-a starving price, and which neces-
sarily imposed loss upon any one who oc-
cupied the Executive Chair of that State.
A good Governor ought to be paid at least
S.. 900 when the State is able to stand it.
but bad Governor is dear at any price.